AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriAssurance Program Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Questionnaire
• Detailed Project Budget
• the organization's Certificates or Articles of Incorporation or alternative
• the last 2 years' financial statements

Who is eligible?

• For-profit organizations, including partnerships, corporations, co-operatives (for-profit), and communes (for-profit).
• First Nation, Métis or Inuit individuals or organizations, including First Nations, Inuit or Métis for-profit organizations.

Who is not eligible

The eligibility criteria and restrictions in the given context do not explicitly exclude any particular types of companies or industries. The focus is on those that meet specific eligibility criteria such as being a for-profit organization and operating within eligible sectors.

Eligible expenses

• Contracted professional services to obtain certification for agricultural and agri-food products required to access a specific export opportunity or domestic market.
• Salaries of individuals dedicated to developing documents and/or training for such certification.
• Travel costs to enable the certification.
• Lab testing costs required to obtain the certification or recognition.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs incurred before AAFC deems your application complete are ineligible for reimbursement and will not be considered part of your cost-share.
• Costs incurred prior to AAFC approval or the project start date may not be reimbursed by AAFC.
• In-kind contributions toward the cost-share are ineligible.

• Applications are first assessed for completeness, project eligibility, alignment of activities and outcomes with program objectives, and identification of all funding sources.
• A further review assesses the applicant's capacity to deliver the project, including resources and timelines.
• Review also considers whether proposed activities and costs are eligible, reasonable, and required to meet objectives.
• Projects with potential for the greatest benefits may have a better chance of being approved for funding.

• Access your program information, click the Grants and contributions button, and choose a secure sign-in method.
• Sign in or sign up, then start a new application process.
• Complete the AgriAssurance Program: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Component Application Form.
• Download the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada AgriAssurance Program Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Questionnaire and the Detailed Project Budget.
• Complete and save the budget, consent form, and questionnaire, then upload them with the organization's Certificates or Articles of Incorporation or alternative and the last 2 years' financial statements.
• Complete the application details and submit your complete application.

• After you submit your application, an acknowledgement notice will be sent to you, and the application is not considered submitted until you receive it.
• If the application is incomplete, it will be placed on hold and a notice will be sent to ask for more detailed information.
• If approved, a program officer will go over the approval details, including activities, funding levels, and the start and end dates, and you must sign a contribution agreement to receive funding.
• AAFC cannot reimburse costs until the contribution agreement is signed.
• Approved applicants must report on finances, performance and results through progress reports, performance reports, financial reports, and any other reports requested.

• Quebec-based applicants must address the Province of Quebec's M-30 legislation during assessment and before entering a contribution agreement.
• The contribution agreement contains an intellectual property clause, and AAFC may require a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free license to the Crown for internal government administration purposes.
• If the project is a project under the Impact Assessment Act and takes place on federal lands or outside Canada, or on reserves, surrendered lands, or other lands subject to the Indian Act, further assessment may be required.